Title: Rewriting Destiny
Chapter 37 – Take Nothing for Granted

A/N: Once again a special thanks to everyone who is enjoying this AU storyline. I'm so glad that the majority of my readers are understanding House's journey to becoming a father and dealing with all the new emotions one comes to develop for someone (even a grown younger man) they consider their own family. For those that want to flame, sorry you don't understand, but please feel free to move along. To the rest…hope you enjoy this update as both would be father and son once again embrace new found feelings. Thank you!

Both Jimmy and Chase look at each other with frustrated expressions as the BMW comes to a screeching halt; the sound of the tire blowing out on the jagged pavement impeding their progress to get home at a somewhat timely hour. Chase still continues to tell himself that House will know he's with a good friend and is okay and that he doesn't need to bother him at such a late hour.

"Can I sue the city for carelessness?" Jimmy huffs as they both get out of the car and slowly head around to the back to survey the damage.

"Now…that's a blowout," Chase mentions as Jimmy looks at him weakly. "Got a spare?"

"Course…I do…" Jimmy starts as he opens his trunk and then both once again stare in shock. "I don't? What?"

"No…spare," Chase ponders with a small groan. "Why no spare?"

"I…" Jimmy starts and then stops, remembering who had borrowed his car and why there was no spare. "My cousin took it in to get it detailed and…"

"Kyle?"

"No another one…this isn't good," he groans as he pulls his phone. "I'll um…wait for a tow…you can take a cab if it's too late."

"No way, I'll wait. House is probably asleep anyways. It'll be okay," Chase replies with a small shrug, not wanting to leave his friend alone in a fairly unfamiliar neighborhood.

"Thanks. Appreciate you staying."

"Think you'll get a tow at this hour? I could call House if you really want me to."

"No I hate to wake him up. My father would just give me a lecture," he answers as he starts to dial, grumbling about the construction detour under his breath; Chase's sympathy for his friend growing. But he falsely assumes that since his birth father didn't really care if he was home on time or not that House will have simply gone to bed and they'd talk in the morning.

He'd be wrong.

XXXXXXXX

House looks at the clock and then at his phone with a heavy frown. Should I call? Why am I so concerned? I care. So…do I become that overbearing parent? It's his first time. I'm sure he's…fine. His mind tries to reason. His father was probably that way…five minutes late and he'd yell at him for no real reason. I'm sure he's fine. He is right? Damn! Where's my boy!

XXXXXXXX

"Just had her washed also," Jimmy sighs as he looks at the side of the silver car that was scraped along the uneven pavement after they had hit the jagged hole in the cement and almost bounced back out. "Know any good mechanics?"

"No but House's bestie, Wilson might. House says he knows everything."

"Thought House knew everything?" Jimmy banters back.

"Oh he does also," Chase replies with a snicker as he pulls back with a small frown.

"What?"

"You smell like…"

"I know…weed. We both do," Jimmy shakes his head. "At least this is easy to explain…well somewhat. I'm sure tomorrow my father will make me take a drug test even though by the time we get home I'm sure it'll be gone."

"Really? He's that strict."

"He's very traditional and all about appearance….family appearance. What do you think House will say?"

"I uh…well I'm hoping it wears off by then," Chase gently snickers; his expression looking more like a grimace. "But when I tell him it was just the crowd and I wasn't personally using, he'll believe me. It'll be no big deal. House will be fine with it. Sorry about your father."

"Yeah…he's complicated," Jimmy retorts. "Drugs are for patients not for…recreational mental stimulus," Jimmy mocks his father; his tone making Casey snicker. But the conversation quickly halts as they watch a truck turn the corner and both step back onto the curb thinking it's the tow truck. Instead they can only grumble as a truck full of teens drives by honking and shouting.

"How are you feeling?"

"The cool air has woken me up…I just want to get this fixed and get home. Any plans tomorrow?"

"Besides sleeping in?" Chase retorts. "You?"

"Besides getting a new tire?" Jimmy counters.

They talk about twenty minutes more, back inside the car as the cool was starting to make them shiver; the tow truck driver finally arriving with a spare, Chase stepping back while Jimmy casually chats with the driver and then pays him.

"Sorry the day had to end on such a low note," Jimmy offers as they finally head for home – the time being a little after 1am.

"Nonsense. Today was great. Hey it coulda been worse right? Wait until I get my license," Chase gently retorts as Jimmy looks over with a dry smile. "But I had fun today. The food was great…the show was great and the company was great."

"Yeah it was a great day. Relaxed and casual and best of all great friends."

"Thanks again for the ride."

"Always fun to share the ride," Jimmy tells Chase in truth as they reach his apartment. But when Chase pulls out some money to give Jimmy for gas, Jimmy's hand raises to object.

"Please…I want to help out and if you want…you can give me an IOU for when I drive," Chase states with a smile as Jimmy takes the few paper bills. He gives his friend a final wave and then hastily shuffles toward the front door of the apartment, slipping inside and heading for the elevator; his mind telling him that he'll just slip into the apartment, quickly change and then shower in the morning.

That plan wouldn't come to fruition.

Chase slowly pushes the key into the lock and then slowly turns it, hoping the click wouldn't be too loud; carefully pushing the door open and then turning to close it and lock it as quietly as possible. But his plan starts to unravel as soon as he hears some soft shuffling and quickly turns to see House looking at him with a small scowl.

"House…" Chase starts with a small smile. But as he looks at House's expression his heart rate suddenly increases. "Did I…wake you?" He asks weakly. "Sorry I…was later than expected," he states somewhat cheekily. But his playful smirk is short lived when he looks at House's somewhat angry expression.

"Wake me? I haven't been to sleep yet! Where the hell have you been?" House demands as he nears Chase, his brain yelling at him to be reasonable and hear the younger man out.

"What?"

"Oh you heard me! I have been up wondering what's going on!"

"I'm fine...I was with…Jimmy and…"

"And…why are you so late…wait…what happened?" House's emotions start to surge…relief…frustration…anger…relief…worry…relief…agitation…relief. "Why do you look…were you in a fight?"

"No…I got some dirt from the car when…we left the festival and we had to detour and Jimmy's car hit a big hole and we got a flat and…" Chase rattles off nervously as House leans in closer. "Then we both got out and tried to fix it but he had no spare and…I'm fine."

"You smell like…Pot?"

"It was at the festival but I didn't smoke any myself. I swear."

"Why didn't you call me? I was worried! Now I'm just…"

Chase looks at House in surprise…slightly cocking his head and offering a small frown. "I was with…Jimmy and…worried?"

"It's after 2am."

"Look I know what time it is but…"

"You didn't call!"

"But…" Chase stammers as he looks at House in confusion. "I'm fine."

"That's not the point!"

"Wait….are you worried or angry?"

"I'm both! I'm almost tempted to take you over my damn knee and thrash your ass because that's how worried I was and angry I am and I never want to feel that again!"

"I wasn't smoking…I was with Jimmy and it was a flat tire!" Chase tosses back with a flushed face, still not getting that House's emotions are running high because he cares so much about the younger man but just doesn't know how to properly verbalize it. "I didn't want to wake you unless it was an emergency. Isn't that…what I was supposed to do? Only call if something is wrong?"

"No."

"Okay so then…tell me!" Chase replies in frustration as House nears him. "What should I have done?"

"Texted…called…sent a damn carrier Pidgeon!"

Chase stares at House before he slightly shakes his head and then simply agrees. "Okay…I'll call next time."

But when he tries to turn away, House's hand reaches out and seizes his forearm and stops him from leaving. "You don't you get it?"

"No. I'm fine but apparently that's not the point."

"Robert…"

"I didn't want to wake you," Chase looks up with slightly watery eyes; feeling some intimidation from the older man before him, something he hadn't felt in a few months.

As frustrated as he had started at the younger man for making him worried to the point that he was almost tempted to call the hospital's to see if he had been brought in, when he looks at the soft frown, the wondering expression, the downturned lip and hair falling over his eye – the remorseful little boy look just screams – he needs love not a scolding…he doesn't get it! His birth father never worried! Can't you see that? He's not used to genuine concern!

House didn't get it before but now…it's crystal clear.

"Figured you'd be angrier if I had disturbed your sleep for no reason," Chase offers in remorse as his voice finally cracks.

"Do you know…how worried I was? Wondering if you had gotten into a real accident? That I'd be getting a call from the nearest hospital or police or…"

"But I was fine."

"You…don't get it…you still don't get it do you?" House asks in exasperation.

"Yes, you're angry because I should have checked in so you can keep tabs!" His voice rises to a small hiss before he quickly recoils; both their emotions still heated as they deal with a brand new familial situation – one they both personally never had to face. For a few seconds House's expression sinks and this time it's Chase's turn to ponder the fact that his words hit an emotional chord – one not struck before.

"Weren't you ever late at home?" House inquires.

"Yes…a few times."

"And?"

"And what? It was no big deal. I don't get why you're so worried that I'm…okay so a few hours later than I said I'd be."

"I was worried because I care! Don't you…get that?" He concludes softly as Chase tries to swallow. "Doesn't matter how old you are, I'll still be worried if you miss a check in time or…are late."

"I…what? I…when I was late at home…it was no big deal. I could get home at 3am…not come home at all, it was no big deal," Chase admits as he looks up in wonder, his eyes slightly widening and House's lips pursing.

'Father…you're still up?'

'Conference call with Washington.'

'Sorry I'm later than I said I'd be. Are you mad?'

'You made it home in one piece and I didn't have to pay any medical bills so why would I be mad?'

'Just thought…you might be worried. Sorry if I worried you.'

'Why would I be worried? You'd call if you were in trouble.'

And then he closed the door and the medical conference call started. His mind takes him back to his 17th year as he stands in the hallway staring into the glass doors of his father's now closed office wondering if he actually had got into some trouble if his father would even notice or cared?

So at first Chase didn't get why House would be so worried.

"I was to only call…if I was in trouble. I thought…thought it was the same."

"Not the same…not even close," House reminds him in haste. "I was worried…because I care…because I love you like a son. And I know for a fact that no matter a person's age…a truly loving and caring parent always worries…always cares. Wilson told me," he gently smirks. "I didn't believe him…until tonight. Until I felt that anxiety for myself tonight."

And he finally gets it…it wasn't that House didn't trust him or Jimmy or know that he wouldn't call if something had gone really wrong…it was that for the first time he had experienced genuine fear and concern for someone he's afraid of losing. It was parental love that he wasn't too familiar with.

"That's…why was angry…and frustrated," House admits with a small sigh.

Chase remains silent as his brain continues to ponder the emotion behind House's confession.

"So do you get now why it's not just about me keeping tabs on you, which isn't the point of my frustration?" House asks in a softer tone; the scolding sharpness starting to dissipate as cooler heads finally start to prevail. "I trust you, of course I do. Trust was never an issue. I was going to call but I too struggled with how to deal with all this. Didn't want to be a jailor keeping tabs but…but maybe I should have called. Better to have you mad than silent."

"I…never had anyone care that much before," Chase admits weakly, his voice thick with emotion as he looks up with a remorse-filled glance. "I'm sorry."

The look of vulnerable child instantly makes House's heart ache and his sharpness starts to leave. The childish wonder in the soft aquamarine eyes before him, looking up with trust and wonder force his paternal feelings to surge and his heart to soften. The worst was over. For both of them.

"I know you are," House acknowledges, his tone now soothing; his frustration lessening. "I'm sorry if I overacted a little…" House starts as Chase looks up with a small sniffle and smirk as House's frown lessens. "Okay maybe a lot," he huffs. "I was just worried…" he sighs as he leans in closer and wraps his arm around Chase's slender shoulders. "Still need a damn haircut," he gently teases as Chase lightly chuckles; the tension in his tight stomach starting to ease. "Did you have a good time?"

"We had a great time. Do you believe me that I didn't smoke pot?"

"I do," House assures him firmly as they stop outside Chase's bedroom and he looks at him seriously. "I do trust you and I trust Jimmy. He's a good friend for you and I don't think he'd purposely put you in harm's way."

"Next time I'll send you a brief text update…no matter the time. Better to have you angry than silent," Chase retorts with a snicker.

"Funny," House deadpans and then adds, "good," House replies. "Now give me a hug and get to bed. I'm tired," he playfully tosses at the younger man. "My boy…glad you're home safe," he utters as Chase gives him a warm hug and then pulls away with a small smile. "Still think you should be grounded," he gently grumbles as he gives him a small strike on his ass with the end of his cane; Chase's lips uttering a small gasp and then chuckle before he disappears into his bedroom.

House watches the lights remain on a few minutes before he slowly turns and heads down the hallway to his own bedroom, his mind still racing but his heart relieved that he can finally get some actual rest – his boy was home safe. But as he climbs back into bed, he can't help but think of what it must have been like for Chase to come home each time to a father that wasn't worried he wasn't home at a decent hour. No wonder he just thought it was okay not to even send a brief text…damn flat tire! And for him…all the new feelings of concern that he never felt for someone…it was new and scary and exhausting but…comforting all at once.

Chase too lies in bed pondering what just happened…House stayed up and was worried that I was late because he cares…he was angry because he was afraid of losing me? I … his brain tries to comprehend but is unable to fully grasp just what the feelings House was grappling with. He was that worried? He stayed up all night waiting?...he was worried.

And with that comforting thought and coupled with the exhausting events of the day, Chase rolls onto his side and falls into the darkness in seconds.

House, however, remains awake a bit longer…scolding himself for being so invested but reminding himself exactly why he's so invested and it's a good thing…it's what loving, caring parents do and how they should act to a child that they care about so much. You are his father now.

And with that comforting thought, House too, rolls onto his side and lets the darkness consume him.

XXXXXXXX

The next morning House awakens a bit later than expected; his senses instantly picking up something very tempting and aromatic. He now worries that things will be strained between them or that he's overstepped his role and the day would be strained.

But the younger man surprises him in the best possible way.

"He's up too early," House groans as he slowly pushes himself from the warm nest of his bed covers and slowly limps into the hallway, nearing the kitchen and hearing some odd chatter ensuing. He stops and pokes his head around the corner and stares in surprise at the scene before him – Chase trying to make pancakes for breakfast.

Chase finally senses he's being watched and looks up to see House silently watching in amusement. But House can only offer an adoring smile at the younger man looks up with a shy smile; mussed hair and face slightly dusted with flour only adds a bit more appeal to his boyish charm.

"Didn't want to turn it on too early and wake you…but I got hungry," Chase confesses as House approaches.

Maybe it was guilt…maybe it was remorse…or maybe it was just because he wanted to show House that he was truly sorry for worrying him and wanted to surprise him with breakfast or maybe because he finally felt wanted and House's somewhat surprising fatherly scolding was his way of teaching Chase that he was too valuable to just take his concern and worry for granted. But Chase's attitude was showing that he was almost grateful for the stern reprimand and then confession that he was loved and wanted and was now proving just how much he cherished House's concern and fatherly guidance – even the tough love as he had once thought of it.

And once again he's struck with learning something new at being a parent – when Chase was verbally attacked by his birth father, he retreated into himself; sad, withdrawn, morose and emotionally distraught. But when he gave him a rather demure tongue lashing comparatively, Chase was at first distressed but when it was explained why he was getting it, he seemed to blossom. Strange…but oddly comforting.

But Chase's doting attention to House is something the older man will never take for granted; Chase having to learn that he too must never take House's love and affection for granted. It was another familial milestone they had just conquered together…one of many more to come. But in any case, their bond was stronger than ever and would ensure peaceful relations the rest of the day.

"So my boy…smells pretty good," House praises as Chase looks at him now with a wide, proud grin; easing himself onto a nearby chair, content to let him take the helm of starting their day off right. "What's on the agenda for today?"

"Well I want to call Jimmy and see how he fared last night and then maybe some…driving lessons? Or a walk in the Park? Dinner at Reggie's?"

"I think we can do that."

"What part?"

"All of it," House replies in truth as Chase's grin widens further. "So…tell me about this fusion food festival."

"Well…there was this chef that Jimmy liked…and the food I liked best was…" Chase starts to chatter away.

House takes a sip of his coffee and can't help but relish in the younger man's enthusiasm; his mind and heart content just to listen and live vicariously through him, telling him about his reading with Wilson and just talking as a man and his son would do on a relaxing Sunday morning.

A/N: Ah another familial milestone to further cement their father/son bond. Hope you all liked it and please do review before you go and thanks so much!